If you are a smoker, you are likely aware that nicotine can leave stains on your teeth and fingernails. It also may stain your household appliances, particularly if they are white or a lighter color. Over time, this buildup can cause your appliances to yellow and look as if they are covered in a film, leading you to wonder how to remove nicotine from appliances. Fortunately, you should be able to remove most nicotine stains with products you already have at home.
Nicotine Stain Removal
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Removing nicotine from your appliances will be simpler the less exposure your appliances have had to the substances. If you've just moved into a home or apartment and the previous occupants had been smoking for many years or if you haven't done much appliance maintenance, you may need to work a bit harder to remove the stains.
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If you are dealing with a minimal stain, you can wipe it away with baby wipes or a moistened paper towel. Rub the appliances with your wipe or paper towel until the stain has been removed. When you think you've got all of the nicotine residue off, you can try one last wipe or towel. Check the coloring, and if it is not discolored, you have removed all of the nicotine.
Moderate Nicotine Stain Removal
If you are dealing with a more severe appliance stain, you may need to use additional cleaning agents. Mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar in a bucket. Then, use a soft sponge to apply it to your appliances. You may need to apply a bit of elbow grease to remove the stains. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. You might wish to avoid using vinegar on stainless steel appliances, as damage might occur to the finish.
Other Products to Clean Appliances
If you have extremely difficult nicotine stains on any of your appliances, you may need to use other chemicals to clean them. You can use a small amount of ammonia on a sponge or rag to scrub the appliances. Be sure to do this only in a well-ventilated area; open doors or windows to ensure adequate airflow. How to Clean Stuff also recommends using a small amount of baking soda as an abrasive for tough stains.
You might also try using lemon juice that hasn't been diluted by water or another substance to clean your appliances. Apply the lemon juice to a damp rag and then use it scrub down the appliances. Once you have finished cleaning with lemon juice, you should wipe down the appliances with a wet cloth or sponge to remove any residual lemon. Its acidity could be harmful to your appliances over time if not removed.
If you find that none of these products are working to clean your appliances, you could try a commercial product designed just for this purpose. Cleaners like Weiman Stainless Steel cleaner are made specifically for appliances, and you can rest easy knowing that they won't damage the finish on your appliance. Cleaning Info also suggests using a Magic Eraser to get nicotine stains off of appliances. This will work especially well for those that are white or light in color.